Liquid collection and evaporation device

ABSTRACT

A liquid collection and evaporation device is proposed for use between a cooling water regulating valve of a vehicle and an actuator device for actuating the valve. The liquid collection and evaporation device includes a separation tank for collecting and evaporating liquid droplets emerging from the cooling water regulating valve. The separation tank here has a connection to the valve, a connection to the actuator device, and also a multiplicity of openings which firstly prevent the liquid droplets from emerging from the tank and secondly permit droplet evaporation because of waste heat acting on the tank. The invention furthermore relates to a valve unit with such a liquid collection and evaporation device, and to a vehicle with such a valve unit.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of European ApplicationEP17465516.7, filed Apr. 21, 2017. The disclosure of the aboveapplication is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a liquid collection and evaporation device foruse between a cooling water regulating valve of a vehicle and anactuator device for actuating the valve. The invention furthermorerelates to a valve unit including such a liquid collection andevaporation device, and to a vehicle with such a valve unit.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Cooling water regulating valves intended for vehicles, i.e. passengervehicles or commercial vehicles, are used in cooling water circuits ofinternal combustion engines. Such a valve may be sealed in relation tothe surrounding periphery. In principle, valves of this type are oftight or virtually tight design. Nevertheless, however, a certainleakage may occur, in particular after a certain aging time of thevalve, after which a sealing action of the valve seals may decrease.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of an embodiment of the present invention to provide adevice which prevents a leakage in conjunction with a cooling waterregulating valve of the type described previously in relation to theperiphery surrounding the valve.

This object is achieved by claim 1 which protects a liquid collectionand evaporation device. Advantageous embodiments of the invention arethe subject matter of the dependent claims.

A liquid collection and evaporation device is proposed, including aseparation tank for collecting and evaporating liquid droplets emergingfrom the cooling water regulating valve.

A separation tank should be understood here as meaning a tank whichprovides a corresponding volume in order to be able to collect apossible leakage of the valve and to bring the leakage to evaporation.The separation tank therefore acts as a compensating means for a coolingwater regulating valve, the tightness of which cannot be 100% ensured,in particular not after a certain aging.

The separation tank has a connection to the valve and a connection tothe actuator device. The separation tank furthermore has a multiplicityof openings which firstly prevent the liquid droplets from emerging outof the tank and secondly permit droplet evaporation because of wasteheat of an internal combustion engine, the waste heat acting on thetank.

The liquid collection and evaporation device proposed therefore collectsa possible—for example aging-induced—leakage of the cooling waterregulating valve and allows the leakage to evaporate in the separationtank in order then to be able to remove same in vapor form to thesurroundings via the openings of the separation tank. The devicetherefore prevents cooling water from emerging from the cooling waterregulating valve into the valve-surrounding periphery of the internalcombustion engine.

The separation tank is provided here with the openings on at least oneend side facing the valve and/or the actuator, via which openings theevaporated leakage liquid is removed to the surroundings.

The openings here have a shape holding back the liquid droplets by thoseportions of the separation tank which form the openings extending intothe interior of the separation tank such that they form an encirclingelevation in the interior of the separation tank. It is thereby ensuredthat only the evaporated leakage liquid is removed to the surroundings.

The diameter of the openings tapers here in the direction of theseparation tank. The openings may be, for example, of conical design andthe diameters thereof taper in the direction of the interior of theseparation tank.

The connection to the valve and the connection to the actuator deviceare expediently designed here in a liquid-tight manner. It is therebyensured that no leakage liquid emerges via these connections into thesurroundings.

According to an aspect of the present invention, the separation tankincludes at least two trays which are connected to one another in aliquid-tight manner and form a collection and evaporation volume,wherein at least one of the two trays is provided with the openings viawhich the evaporated leakage liquid is removed to the surroundings.However, the two trays may also be provided with the openings.

The trays may be formed from a deformed metal sheet into which theopenings are punched and, in the process, the sheet metal portionsforming the openings are deformed into the interior of the separationtank such that they form an encircling elevation in the interior of theseparation tank, the elevation preventing the leakage liquid fromemerging out of the separation tank.

A valve unit with a cooling water regulating valve, an actuator devicefor actuating the valve and a liquid collection and evaporation deviceof the type previously described is furthermore proposed, wherein theliquid collection and evaporation device is arranged between the coolingwater regulating valve and the actuator device. Claim 10 protects suchan arrangement.

Furthermore, a vehicle with a valve unit of the type previouslydescribed is proposed.

Further areas of applicability of the present invention will becomeapparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It shouldbe understood that the detailed description and specific examples, whileindicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended forpurposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope ofthe invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is explained in detail below with reference to Figureillustrations. Further advantageous developments of the invention emergefrom the dependent claims and the description below of preferredembodiments. To this end:

FIG. 1 shows a valve unit with a liquid collection and evaporationdevice in a sectional illustration,

FIG. 2 shows the valve unit from FIG. 1 in a sectional illustration andwith an illustrated leakage liquid and an illustrated thermal action onthe liquid collection and evaporation device,

FIG. 3 shows an enlarged detail of the liquid collection and evaporationdevice in a sectional illustration,

FIG. 4 shows a further enlarged detail of the liquid collection andevaporation device in a sectional illustration,

FIG. 5 shows two sheet metal trays forming the liquid collection andevaporation device, and

FIG. 6 shows the sheet metal trays shown in FIG. 5 in the joined state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is merelyexemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention,its application, or uses.

FIG. 1 illustrates a valve unit 2 in a sectional illustration. The valveunit 2 here includes an arrangement consisting of a multi-way coolingwater regulating valve 4, an actuator device 6 and also a liquidcollection and evaporation device 8 which is arranged between themulti-way cooling water regulating valve 4 and the actuator device 6.The multi-way cooling water regulating valve 4 includes a valve housing11 a, 11 b with the valve connectors 10, 12. Arranged pivotably withinthe valve housing 11 a, 11 b is a valve body 13 from which a valve stem14 extends through the housing part 11 a and through the liquidcollection and evaporation device 8 and into the actuator device 6 inwhich the valve stem 14 interacts with a final control element actuatedby an electric motor.

The liquid collection and evaporation device 8 includes a separationtank 9 which is connected to the valve 4 in a liquid-tight manner viathe portion 22 via which the liquid droplets 16 emerging from the valve6 are collected by the separation tank 9 (FIG. 1, FIG. 3). Theseparation tank 9 is also connected to the actuator device 6 in aliquid-tight manner via the portion 26 (FIG. 1, FIG. 4). The portions22, 26 of the tank 9 may be adhesively bonded here in a liquid-tightmanner to the valve 4 or to the actuator device 6 or may be connected ina liquid-tight manner thereto by cold welding or laser welding. FIG. 2illustrates liquid droplets 16 which enter the tank 9 via a stem-sideseal 15 of the valve 4.

The separation tank 9 has, both on the valve side and on the actuatorside, a multiplicity of openings 20 (FIG. 3, FIG. 4) which firstlyprevent the liquid droplets 16 from emerging out of the tank 9 andsecondly permit droplet evaporation 18 because of waste heat on the partof an internal combustion engine, the waste heat acting on the tank 9and being illustrated by arrows printed in bold.

FIG. 3 illustrates the design, which faces the valve 4, of the openings20 which are formed on two end sides 18, 19 offset with respect to eachother. FIG. 3 furthermore also illustrates the liquid droplets 16 whichenter the tank 9 via the stem-side seal 15 of the valve 4, the wasteheat—in the form of the arrows printed in bold—acting on the tank 9, andalso the leakage liquid vapor 18 which is finally removed to thesurroundings via the openings 20. The advantageous design of theopenings 20 which have a shape holding back the liquid droplets 16 isalso seen here. This is caused by the fact that those portions of thewall of the separation tank 9 which form the openings 20 extend into theinterior of the tank 9 such that they form an encircling elevation inthe interior of the tank 9, the elevation holding back the liquiddroplets 16. The openings 20 here are of conical design, wherein thediameter of the openings 20 tapers in the direction of the tank 9.

FIG. 4 by contrast illustrates the design, facing the actuator device,of the openings 20 which are likewise formed on two end sides 23, 24offset with respect to each other. FIG. 4 furthermore also illustratesthe leakage liquid vapor 18 which is removed into the surroundings viathe openings 20.

The separation tank 9 is formed by two circular metal sheets A, B whichare deformed in the manner of a plate or in the manner of a tray and arejoined and connected in a liquid-tight manner to each other (FIG. 3,FIG. 4, FIG. 5) and which, after being joined (FIG. 6), form acorresponding collection and evaporation volume. The sheet metal platesor sheet metal trays A, B may be adhesively bonded to each other here orelse may be connected to each other by cold welding or laser welding.The liquid-tight connection is formed here in the region 28 in which thetwo sheet metal plates or sheet metal trays A, B overlap with each otherwhen pushed one inside the other (FIG. 6).

The metal sheets A, B are deformed here in such a manner that they eachhave two sheet metal portions (FIG. 3, FIG. 4 in conjunction with FIG.5) which are mutually offset in the longitudinal direction, form endsides 18, 19, 23, 24, are arranged substantially parallel to each otherand into which the openings 20 of conical design are punched. In thiscase, the sheet metal portions forming the openings 20 are deformed intothe interior of the separation tank 9 such that they form an encirclingelevation in the interior of the separation tank 9, the elevationholding back the liquid droplets 16 (FIG. 3).

Although exemplary embodiments have been described in the precedingdescription, it should be emphasized that a multiplicity ofmodifications is possible. In addition, it should be emphasized that theexemplary embodiments are merely examples which are not intended in anyway to restrict the scope of protection, the uses and the design. On thecontrary, the preceding description provides a person skilled in the artwith a guide for using at least one exemplary embodiment, whereindiverse amendments, in particular in respect of the function andarrangement of the described components, may be undertaken withoutdeparting from the scope of protection as emerges from the claims andthese equivalent combinations of features.

The description of the invention is merely exemplary in nature and,thus, variations that do not depart from the gist of the invention areintended to be within the scope of the invention. Such variations arenot to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of theinvention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A liquid collection and evaporation device foruse between a cooling water regulating valve and an actuator device foractuating the cooling water regulating valve, comprising: a separationtank for collecting and evaporating liquid droplets emerging from thecooling water regulating valve; a first connection which connects thevalve to the separaton tank; a second connection which connects theactuator device to the separaton tank; and a multiplicity of openingsformed as part of the separation tank; wherein the multiplicity ofopenings prevent the liquid droplets from emerging from the tank andpermit droplet evaporation when the tank is exposed to waste heat. 2.The device of claim 1, wherein the separation tank is provided with theopenings on at least one end side facing the valve.
 3. The device ofclaim 1, wherein the separation tank is provided with the openings on atleast one end side facing the actuator.
 4. The device of claim 1, eachof the multiplicity of openings further comprising a shape such that aportion of each of the multiplicity of openings extends into theinterior of the separation tank, forming an encircling elevation in theinterior of the separation tank, holding back the liquid droplets. 5.The device of claim 4, wherein the diameter of each of the multiplicityof openings tapers in the direction of the separation tank.
 6. Thedevice of claim 5, each of the multiplicity of openings being of conicaldesign.
 7. The device of claim 1, wherein the first connection betweenthe separation tank and the valve is liquid-tight.
 8. The device ofclaim 1, wherein the second connection between the separation tank andthe actuator device is liquid-tight.
 9. The device of claim 1, theseparation tank further comprising: at least two trays which areconnected to one another in a liquid-tight manner; and a collection andevaporation volume formed by the connection of the at least two trays;wherein at least one of the multiplicity of openings is formed as partof at least one of the two trays.
 10. The device of claim 9, wherein aportion of the multiplicity of openings is formed as part of one of theat least two trays, and another porton of the multiplicity of openingsis formed as part of another of the at least two trays.
 11. The deviceas claimed in claim 9, further comprising: a first metal sheet, a firstof the at least two trays is formed by deforming the first metal sheet,and a portion of the multiplicity of openings are formed into the firstmetal sheet; and a second metal sheet a second of the at least two traysis formed by deforming the second metal sheet, and a portion of themultiplicity of openings are formed into the second metal sheet; whereineach of the multiplicity of openings are deformed into the interior ofthe separation tank such that the multiplicity of openings form anencircling elevation in the interior of the separation tank.
 12. A valveunit, comprising: a cooling water regulating valve; an actuator devicefor actuating the valve; a liquid collection and evaporation devicearranged between the cooling water regulating valve and the actuatordevice, the liquid collection and evaporation device further comprising:a separation tank for collecting and evaporating liquid dropletsemerging from the cooling water regulating valve; a first connectionwhich connects the valve to the separaton tank; a second connectionwhich connects the actuator device to the separaton tank; and amultiplicity of openings formed as part of the separation tank; whereinthe multiplicity of openings prevent the liquid droplets from emergingfrom the tank and permit droplet evaporation when the tank is exposed towaste heat.
 13. The valve unit of claim 12, wherein the separation tankis provided with the openings on at least one end side facing at leastone of the valve or the actuator.
 14. The valve unit of claim 12, eachof the multiplicity of openings further comprising a shape such that aportion of each of the multiplicity of openings extends into theinterior of the separation tank, forming an encircling elevation in theinterior of the separation tank, holding back the liquid droplets. 15.The valve unit of claim 14, wherein the diameter of each of themultiplicity of openings tapers in the direction of the separation tank.16. The valve unit of claim 15, each of the multiplicity of openingsbeing of conical design.
 17. The valve unit of claim 12, wherein thefirst connection between the separation tank and the valve isliquid-tight, and the second connection between the separation tank andthe actuator device is liquid-tight.
 18. The valve unit of claim 12, theseparation tank further comprising: at least two trays which areconnected to one another in a liquid-tight manner; and a collection andevaporation volume formed by the connection of the at least two trays;wherein at least one of the multiplicity of openings is formed as partof at least one of the two trays.
 19. The valve unit of claim 18,wherein a portion of the multiplicity of openings is formed as part ofone of the at least two trays and another porton of the multiplicity ofopenings is formed as part of another of the at least two trays.
 20. Thedevice as claimed in claim 18, further comprising: a first metal sheet,a first of the at least two trays is formed by deforming the first metalsheet, and a portion of the multiplicity of openings are formed into thefirst metal sheet; and a second metal sheet a second of the at least twotrays is formed by deforming the second metal sheet, and a portion ofthe multiplicity of openings are formed into the second metal sheet;wherein each of the multiplicity of openings are deformed into theinterior of the separation tank such that the multiplicity of openingsform an encircling elevation in the interior of the separation tank.